What happens during menopause?
Many of the menopausal symptoms that women experience during perimenopause and menopause are due to shifts in two key hormones: estrogen and progesterone. It all starts in the hypothalamus, an area in the brain that secretes hormones. The hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary gland, which releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)1. FSH and LH kickstart ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone. In the years leading up to menopause, the ovaries start to lose their sensitivity to FSH and LH, yielding lower estrogen and progesterone levels2.
Estrogen Levels
Normal estrogen levels plummet from 30 - 400 pg/mL before menopause to 0 - 30 pg/mL after menopause.3 Because estrogen stimulates the production of several important proteins in the skin, this massive hormonal shift can weaken skin thickness over time.4 The impacts of declining estrogen are more than skin-deep; in fact, lower levels after menopause can impact several bodily systems, including:
- The Cardiovascular System - Estrogen promotes healthy cholesterol levels and aids in blood clot formation. Lower levels can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.5
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The Nervous System - Estrogen levels influence female cognitive function; its decline increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.6
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The Musculoskeletal System - Estrogen induces calcium absorption in the body. Lower estrogen results in loss of bone density and can lead to osteoporosis.7
Progesterone Levels
Along with estrogen, progesterone levels also decrease during perimenopause. This critical hormone is known to lower the risk of anxiety and depression, regulate blood pressure, improve sleep, and promote uterine health. 8 Plus, because progesterone is involved in the skinβs oil production, declining progesterone levels may lead to increased skin dryness and sensitivity.
What happens to our skin during menopause?
Collagen Production
Collagen is a structural protein that promotes skin strength, elasticity, and firmness.9 Fibroblasts, the skin cells that stimulate collagen production, are activated when exposed to estrogen. When estrogen levels drop, so does fibroblast activation and collagen production.9 Consequently, around 30% of skin collagen is lost within the first five years following menopause, leading to a weakened skin barrier and loss of firmness and elasticity.9
Oxidative Defenses
A primary cause of skin aging is exposure to free radicals, which oxidize cellular DNA. Oxidation-induced changes lead to genomic instability and epigenetic alterations - two of the twelve hallmarks of aging. 12Although itβs not quite clear how, estrogen has been shown to have protective power against free radicals.13 As estrogen levels drop, this oxidative defense becomes less effective, and skin aging accelerates.
Sebum Production
Due to an age-related decline in cell turnover rate, skin oil glandsβ specifically sebaceous glandsβ become less effective. This is why many people notice their skin getting drier with time. Hormonal changes in menopause can exacerbate this decline, as sebaceous glands are affected by both estrogen and progesterone.14
Hyaluronic Acid Production
Estrogen stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, a substance known for its capacity to hold water and keep the skin hydrated. Without a strong skin barrier and estrogen-stimulated production of hyaluronic acid, the skin can become dehydrated.14
Melanin Production
Estrogen supports the synthesis of melanin, the pigment that helps protect skin from UV radiation. As estrogen declines, melanin levels lower, and skin becomes lighter and more sensitive to sun damage.15 Even though menopause reduces melanin production, erratic hormone levels and a weakened skin barrier can actually cause or worsen hyperpigmentation.
Wound Healing
When your skin is wounded, cytokines in the blood recruit inflammatory cells and nearby skin cells to start the healing process. Because estrogen regulates cytokine levels, wound healing may slow after menopause. In fact, topical estrogen has been shown to accelerate wound healing in both elderly men and women.14
How can these skin problems be best avoided to extend the longevity of healthy skin?
- Anitoxidants:Β Eating foods rich in antioxidants or using topical skin care products with antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and increase collagen levels! In general, topically applied antioxidants are more effective for skin health.
- Sunscreen: Post-menopausal skin is highly sensitive to sun damage. Wearing sunscreen can prevent accelerated skin aging and the development of age spots and skin cancer.
- Moisturizer: Invest in a peptide moisturizer and hydrating cleanser. This can prevent skin dryness and keep your skin protected against environmental irritants.
- Consider Hormone Replacement Therapies (HRTs): Consult your physician regarding your options for hormone therapy. Even topical estrogen effectively increases skin collagen and reduces skin age .16
- Sleep: Sleeping at consistent times for around 7 - 9 hours daily can support hormone balance and skin health .17
How does the OS-01 peptide address menopausal skin changes?
Our OS-01 peptide is scientifically proven to counteract some of the factors caused by estrogen decline. In lab studies, OS-01 was shown to increase the activity of collagen and hyaluronic acid production genes (COL1A1 and HAS2) .18 This shows that OS-01 may help to counteract decreasing levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid that occur after menopauseβimproving skin firmness, elasticity, strength, and hydration .19 OS-01 has also been shown to reduce cellular senescence β the central hallmark of skin aging β and improve skin health at the cellular level .18
- During and after menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels decline.
- These changing hormones reduce collagen formation, sebum, melanin, and cytokines.
- Because of these changes, menopausal skin can often be less firm, more wrinkled, dryer, and more sensitive to external pollutants.
- To prevent menopause-associated skin changes, use antioxidants, apply sunscreen, moisturize, and get sufficient sleep. You should consult your physician regarding your options with HRTs.
- OneSkinβs OS-01 peptide increases the activity of collagen and hyaluronic acid genes, COL1A1 and HAS2, helping to counteract the decreased levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid caused by menopause. This improves skin elasticity and structure, strengthens the skin barrier, and keeps the skin hydrated.
- https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/the-menstrual-cycle
- https://parjournal.net/article/view/3863
- https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/menopause/types/testing
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6802354/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16979-estrogen--hormones
- https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/24/2/133/2424179?login=true
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/the-ovarian-cycle-the-menstrual-cycle-and-menopause/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15245-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms
- https://parjournal.net/article/view/3863
- https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/solution-estrogen-deficient-skin
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1549492/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3836174/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772914/
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00128071-200102030-00003
- https://www.dmkskin.com.au/dmk-journal/menopause-and-the-skin/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2685269/
- https://www.webmd.com/menopause/ss/slideshow-better-skin-after-menopause
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-023-00109-1/figures/6
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.16242
